Delta Air Lines has decided to revise its uniform policy for employees in light of a social media controversy that erupted after a passenger expressed anger over seeing two flight attendants wearing Palestinian pins. The passenger had described the pins as “Hamas badges,” causing a wave of backlash. As a result, Delta has announced that it will now prohibit its staff from wearing any pins representing countries or nationalities other than the United States. This new rule is set to be implemented starting next week.
In a statement, the Atlanta-headquartered airline emphasized its commitment to diversity among its employees and clientele, as well as its core mission of connecting people worldwide and offering top-notch service. The policy adjustment aims to create a secure, pleasant, and inclusive environment for everyone onboard.
The shift in Delta’s regulations comes amid heightened tensions related to the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has incited notable demonstrations, including those that have stirred controversy on university campuses.
The two flight attendants photographed wearing the Palestinian pins were abiding by Delta’s prior guidelines, which had granted employees more leeway in selecting uniform accessories.
Before the airline’s announcement of the updated policy, an individual from Delta’s staff exacerbated the situation by commenting online that the attendants wearing the Palestinian pins were breaching company regulations, voicing support for passengers who might feel unsettled by the pins. This comment was subsequently deleted but captured in a screenshot shared by the American Muslim advocacy organization, CAIR National.
Delta has stated that the employee responsible for the controversial comment has been relieved of social media duties and issued an apology in a subsequent post.
